Conroy: Take deeper look at Barrow story

Monday

The Saturday Banner-Herald story headlined “Barrow County hires lobbyist in effort to avoid tougher clean air regs” could have benefited from slightly more in-depth reporting.

An Internet search would have quickly revealed that Harold Reheis, the lobbyist hired by Barrow County to help it avoid clean air regulations that go into effect in July, was director of the Environmental Protection Division of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources from 1991-2003. The lobbying firm he works for is run by Joe Tanner, his former boss and DNR commissioner from 1972-84 and 1990-95.

EPD is the state agency charged with enforcing the regulations that determine the safety of the air we and our children breathe and the water we all drink.

There is, of course, nothing unusual or wrong in former public servants using their expertise to assist clients in avoiding regulations.

However, readers would have benefited from knowing the roles Reheis and Tanner played in their former lives.

The Barrow County commissioners — except for Larry Joe Wilburn, who cast a dissenting vote — will have to answer to their constituents as to whether their actions really serve the public interests of health, safety and economic well-being.

Michael Conroy

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